Chronic lymphoid leukemia - current concepts of molecular pathogenesis and therapy Prof. M. Hallek, Cologne, Germany    - Biography English - 2008-06-15 Topic: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Speaker Disclosure Grant support by Roche, AMGEN, BayerSchering, Mundipharma (for clinical research). Speaker's honoraria from Roche, AMGEN, Sanofi-Aventis, Mundipharma, BayerSchering.

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There has been tremendous progress in understanding of the biology of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). At the initiation of the disease, an immortalized, marginal zone, CD5 positive B-cell is the result of a deletion of a limited region on chromosome 13. This cell may be stimulated by specific antigens and then divide. The survival of this malignant clone is further supported by specific factors in the microenvironment of the lymph node or the marrow. The identification of these pathogenic steps has also led to the identification of molecular and cellular markers that may predict the disease progression in CLL patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Moreover, it has become possible to detect minimal residual disease after therapy. These developments have created some uncertainty for clinicians with regard to the optimal incorporation of these novel markers into the daily management of CLL patients. Therefore, the presentation will attempt to summarize the current evidence with regard to novel biological markers in CLL. The recommendations of the recently revised NCI guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of CLL as reported by the International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (IWCLL) will also be incorporated. Finally, novel developments in the treatment of CLL that are the consequence of the above will be discussed as well.


Learning objectives

Novel aspects in the biology of CLL.
Use of prognostic factors and in particular genetic markers in CLL.
Novel therapeutic approaches in CLL.